Saturday, April 23, 2011

Time To Plan For Next Season?

This is something I've been sitting on for a while. And today United went nine points clear while we cant seem to win even when we play well (a la Spurs).

Season over?

Well in the context of the title race, it is. Over, gone, finished. For us anyway. Even if we see a late collapse from Manchester United, Chelsea are in poll position to take advantage, and the win against West Ham this evening confirmed that.

On top of that, our next three games are terrible. We face a Bolton side tomorrow that will be looking to put a shocking F.A. Cup semi-final display behind them. Then we play United at home and Stoke away. Nine points from those three on our form? Chances are slim and none of that happening.

Even the Aston Villa and Fulham games seem like chores now. So is it time to freshen up the first team a bit?

Maybe Wenger should give the likes of Henderson a game and maybe even Emmanuel Frimpong. I mean we're heading for another calamitous finish to the season as it is. And make no qualms about it, one win from six in the league is a disaster for Arsenal F.C. So Wenger has every right to consider mixing it up a bit.

Because he needs to attempt something to stop the rot. And I think a few new faces in the line-up would freshen things up and go towards getting some form back. Frimpong and Henderson would be more than motivated to impress and subsequently attract a few nice offers for loans next season. If they played well enough they might replace a few players like Rosicky and Denilson in the first-team squad next season. It'll be interesting to see his line-up because Wilshere looks very tired and Diaby is unlikely to make it due to a calf injury.

In my opinion the highest we'll finish this season is second. It's a heartbreaking reality from a few months ago but that's where we are. Every time United left the door ajar, WE shut it in our own faces.

We're not a bad team but we are a team that has a taste for being the bridesmaid. That's what Wenger needs to address this summer. Add 'winning' to the ingredients of the squad along with more pace and I think the problem would be solved.

Tomorrow we face a Bolton team that got smashed last Sunday. They can react two ways: go out tomorrow nervy at the back and terrified of getting another thrashing against a team who, on its day, would have no problems tapping in a few goals against them. Or they could go out motivated towards making amends for what happened a week ago. The latter is the most likely.

The match is at Bolton which will suit both teams. But Arsenal have shown no evidence of being capable of winning against a decent team in recent weeks. Another draw looks on the cards. And that's not being masochistic but our run does speak for itself. I think we should go into the game looking to enjoy how we play and not expecting any kind of result. At least then we can't be too disappointed.

N.B. It'll be interesting to see how Gary Cahill, you know the man who will fix all of Arsenal's defensive problems because he's tall and English, performs tomorrow (providing he plays). Any decent performance will surely spark a quantity of 'reports' that Arsenal are in for him. So he's someone worth looking out for just for that.